Explain the significance of Research Questions and Research Objectives for a Dissertation. How you plan to develop yours?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Significance of Research Questions and Research Objectives for a Dissertation
Introduction
In the realm of academic research, particularly in dissertation writing, the formulation of clear and concise research questions and objectives is paramount. These elements serve as the backbone of any scholarly work, guiding the research process, shaping the methodology, and ultimately influencing the conclusions drawn. This essay explores the significance of research questions and objectives in a dissertation and outlines a plan for developing effective ones.
The Importance of Research Questions
Research questions are the specific queries that a dissertation seeks to answer. They are essential for several reasons:
1. Guidance for Research: Research questions provide a focused direction for the study. They help narrow down the scope and clarify what the researcher intends to investigate, preventing the project from becoming too broad or unfocused.
2. Framework for Methodology: The nature of the research questions dictates the research design and methodology. For example, qualitative questions may require interviews or focus groups, while quantitative questions might necessitate surveys or experiments.
3. Facilitation of Analysis: Well-crafted research questions make it easier to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions. They set the parameters for what data will be collected and how it will be interpreted.
4. Contribution to Knowledge: Research questions often highlight gaps in existing literature, allowing researchers to position their work within the broader academic conversation. This can lead to new insights and advancements in the field.
The Role of Research Objectives
Research objectives articulate the specific goals of a dissertation, outlining what the researcher aims to achieve through their study. Their significance lies in:
1. Clarity of Purpose: Objectives clarify the intentions behind the research, providing a roadmap for both the researcher and the audience. They specify what will be accomplished and how it aligns with the research questions.
2. Measurable Outcomes: Well-defined objectives allow researchers to measure progress and outcomes effectively. This is crucial for assessing whether the research has met its goals.
3. Reader Engagement: Clearly stated objectives enhance the reader’s understanding of the research’s aims, making it easier for them to follow the researcher’s argumentation and findings.
4. Alignment with Research Questions: Objectives should directly relate to research questions, ensuring that they work in tandem to drive the research forward.
Developing Effective Research Questions and Objectives
Developing robust research questions and objectives requires careful consideration. Here’s a step-by-step plan:
1. Identify a Broad Topic: Begin by selecting a broad area of interest that aligns with your field of study. Conduct preliminary literature reviews to familiarize yourself with existing research.
2. Narrow Down Your Focus: From your broad topic, identify specific issues or gaps that intrigue you. This can involve brainstorming potential problems, controversies, or unexplored areas within your field.
3. Formulate Research Questions: Convert your focused interests into clear, concise questions. Ensure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For instance, instead of asking “What is the impact of social media?”, consider “How does daily use of Instagram influence self-esteem among college students?”
4. Define Research Objectives: Translate your research questions into specific objectives that outline what you aim to accomplish. For example, if your research question is about the impact of Instagram on self-esteem, an objective could be “To analyze correlations between time spent on Instagram and self-reported self-esteem levels among college students.”
5. Seek Feedback: Share your research questions and objectives with peers or advisors to gain insights and refine them further. Constructive criticism can help identify any ambiguities or weaknesses.
6. Iterate and Revise: Continuously revise your questions and objectives as you delve deeper into your research. Flexibility is key as new insights may emerge during the literature review or data collection process.
Conclusion
Research questions and objectives are fundamental components of a successful dissertation. They provide direction, clarity, and focus throughout the research process, ultimately leading to meaningful contributions to academic knowledge. By following a structured approach to their development, researchers can ensure their studies are both impactful and significant within their respective fields. As I embark on my own dissertation journey, I will apply these principles to formulate sharp research questions and clear objectives that will guide my exploration effectively.
